Where Is the Most Luxurious Train in the World?

There’s a train that doesn’t just take you from A to B-it wraps you in silk, serves you caviar on fine china, and rolls past palaces, deserts, and mountain passes like a moving five-star hotel. If you’ve ever wondered where the most luxurious train is, the answer isn’t just about where it runs-it’s about what it offers, who built it, and why people pay thousands just to sit in a moving room with a view.

The Palace on Wheels: India’s Royal Ride

The most luxurious train in the world isn’t in Europe, and it’s not in North America. It’s in India, and it’s called the Palace on Wheels. Launched in 1982 by Indian Railways in partnership with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, this train was designed to recreate the opulence of the Rajput and Mughal eras. It’s not just a train-it’s a floating palace with 14 fully air-conditioned cabins, each named after a former princely state like Jaipur, Udaipur, or Jaisalmer.

Every cabin has a private bathroom with marble finishes, plush bedding, and 24-hour butler service. Meals are prepared by chefs trained in royal kitchens, serving dishes like lamb korma with saffron rice, tandoori lobster, and handmade paneer in cardamom cream. The dining car is modeled after a 19th-century royal banquet hall, complete with crystal chandeliers and hand-painted murals.

The route covers seven nights through Rajasthan’s most iconic sites: Jaipur’s Amber Fort, Jaisalmer’s golden desert fort, and Udaipur’s Lake Palace. Guests ride in vintage coaches restored with teak wood, brass fittings, and handwoven carpets. There’s even a mini-spa car for Ayurvedic massages and a bar car with rare Indian whiskies and vintage champagnes.

Why It Beats the Orient Express

Many people assume the Orient Express is the pinnacle of luxury rail travel. And yes, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is stunning-Art Deco cabins, white-glove service, and a legacy dating back to 1926. But here’s the difference: the Orient Express is a nostalgic experience. The Palace on Wheels is a living, breathing tribute to royal heritage.

The Orient Express runs between Paris and Istanbul, offering 3- to 7-night trips. It costs around $5,000-$10,000 per person. The Palace on Wheels? A 7-night journey starts at $4,200 per person, but you get more space, more cultural immersion, and more exclusive access. While the Orient Express stops at stations, the Palace on Wheels often arranges private tours inside closed palaces after hours-something no other train in the world does.

And then there’s the scenery. The Orient Express glides through vineyards and Alps. The Palace on Wheels rolls through the Thar Desert at sunset, past camel caravans and ancient stepwells, then into the Aravalli Hills where tigers roam in the wild. The experience isn’t just about comfort-it’s about stepping into a living history book.

The Golden Chariot: India’s Southern Counterpart

If the Palace on Wheels is the north’s royal heir, then the Golden Chariot is its southern counterpart. Launched in 2008, this train runs through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, covering the ruins of Hampi, the temples of Madurai, and the coffee plantations of Coorg.

Its 10 cabins are decorated with silk brocade, ivory inlays, and brass lamps inspired by Hoysala architecture. The dining experience blends Tulu, Kodava, and Chettinad cuisines-think spicy pepper crab, jackfruit curry, and banana leaf rice served with coconut chutney.

While it doesn’t have the same global fame as the Palace on Wheels, the Golden Chariot is often rated higher for personalized service. Crew members are trained in regional history and can give impromptu lectures on temple sculpture or the evolution of South Indian textiles. It’s quieter, more intimate, and far less crowded.

What Makes a Train Truly Luxurious?

Luxury isn’t just about gold-plated taps or imported wine. It’s about exclusivity, attention to detail, and emotional resonance.

• Space: The Palace on Wheels cabins are 22 sq m-larger than most hotel suites in Mumbai.
• Service: One staff member for every two guests. That’s not a ratio-it’s a promise.
• Access: Private entry to UNESCO sites before opening hours. No crowds. No lines.
• Authenticity: No plastic souvenirs. Every gift is handcrafted by local artisans.
• Consistency: No glitches. No broken AC. No late arrivals. This train runs like clockwork, even in 45°C heat.

Compare that to a cruise ship, where you’re one of 3,000 people, or a private jet, where you fly over the landscape without feeling it. On the Palace on Wheels, you hear the clack of the rails, smell the dust of the desert, and wake up to the call of peacocks outside your window.

Who Takes This Journey?

It’s not just billionaires. You’ll find retired diplomats, art collectors from London, couples celebrating 50 years of marriage, and even a few tech entrepreneurs who traded their electric cars for a train ride through history.

One guest from Texas told me: "I’ve stayed in the Burj Al Arab, dined at Eleven Madison Park, flown private. But this? This felt like being welcomed into a royal family’s home. I cried when we left."

Most travelers book 6-12 months in advance. The train runs from October to March, when Rajasthan’s weather is cool and dry. Only 200 people ride it each season.

Is It Worth the Price?

If you’re looking for a bargain, this isn’t it. But if you want to understand what luxury really means-beyond logos and labels-then yes, it’s worth every rupee.

Think of it this way: you’re not paying for a train ride. You’re paying for a week of stories you’ll tell for the rest of your life. For the way your child will ask, "Mom, did you really sleep in a palace on wheels?" For the fact that no Instagram post can capture the quiet majesty of watching the sun rise over the Jaisalmer Fort from your private balcony.

There are other luxury trains-Belmond’s Andean Explorer in Peru, the Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan, the Blue Train in South Africa. But none combine scale, history, service, and cultural depth like the Palace on Wheels.

The most luxurious train isn’t the fastest. It’s not the most expensive. It’s the one that changes how you see the world.

If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling like royalty, this is your chance. The Palace on Wheels doesn’t just move you across a country-it moves you through time. And in a world full of fast trains and fleeting experiences, that’s the rarest luxury of all.